Tara Stud's Alhebayeb gets off the mark with impressive Yarmouth scorer

Tara Stud's Alhebayeb became the latest freshman sire to get off the mark when Phoenix Star came with a strong late run to land the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Yarmouth on Wednesday.

The Chris Dwyer-trained colt showed marked improvement from his first run, when he finished last of seven behind the hugely promising Legends Of War. When switched to the stands' rail under Silvestre de Sousa he powered home to win by 1¾ lengths from Street Parade, a son of Swiss Spirit who cost £100,000.

European first-season sire stats

View replay of Phoenix Star's Yarmouth win

Phoenix Star is the third foal out of the Invincible Spirit mare Volcanic Lady, a half-sister to the dam of Irish Oaks heroine Covert Love who is from the further family of leading Hong Kong performer Designs On Rome.

Wednesday's winner was bred by Caroline, Mark and Stephanie Hanly, whose names have been up in lights already this year thanks to the exploits of the Group 3-winning Zihba.

Phoenix Star was pinhooked by breeze-up jockey Robson Aguiar for €17,000 from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, but failed to find a buyer at 24,000gns when offered at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale in April.

Alhebayeb, who has stood for €5,000 since retiring to Tara Stud in 2015, won twice from 13 starts, including in the 2012 Group 2 July Stakes. He was bought for 170,000gns as a yearling when offered by his breeder, Yeomanstown Stud, at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale.

The son of Dark Angel is due to be represented by 130 juveniles in this first crop.

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